Bhagavada Vahini - Chapter 18

[Guest guest]

Bhagavada Vahini by Sathya Sai Baba

 

Chapter 18

The Escape of Thakshaka

 

Observing the fight between the disappointed groups of suitors and

the Pandava brothers, Krishna and Balarama were smiling within

themselves in appreciation of the successful feat of Arjuna. Your

grandfathers had no knowledge who they were; they had not seen them

any time previously.

 

But when the Pandavas reached their residence, the humble home of a

potter, with the newly-won bride, the daughter of Drupada, and when

Dharmaraja, the eldest brother, was describing with great exultation

the events of the day, Balarama and Krishna, dressed in yellow silk

and magnificent to behold, entered that lowly cottage. They fell at

the feet of aged Kunthi, mother of your grandfathers. " Auntie! We are

your nephews " , they said. " We are the children of Nanda and Yasoda " ,

they introduced themselves. Then, they touched the feet of

Dharmaraja, prostrating themselves before him.

 

Krishna approached Arjuna and drew him aside, with a sweet simple

expression of affection. " I know you; but you do not know me, I am

seeing you now for the very first time. I am the son of Vasudeva; my

name is Sri Krishna. I am younger than you are; still, when you

achieved that victory in the Royal Palace, I recognised that you are

the Pandava brothers and so, I understood that you had escaped from

the palace of lac wherein you were when it was set on fire. From the

moment my eyes fell on you at the gathering of suitors there, I

somehow felt that you are Arjuna; I told my brother so. This is my

brother, Balarama. I was very happy that I recognised you and my

brother too shared the joy. At last, I am able to meet you. The bride

is the embodiment of virtue and intelligence. "

 

Speaking thus, Krishna called Arjuna to a distance and whispered in

his ear, " Cousin! It is not advisable that you come out in the open,

so soon. Stay on, in disguise, for short periods, in one place or

other, for some more time " . Then, He took leave of His aunt and

others and left, with His elder brother Balarama.

 

From that day, the affection between Krishna and Arjuna grew more and

more intense; it grew into a huge tree and yielded fruits rich with

sweetness, which they shared; in that sweetness, their minds merged

and became one. Mark! The first time your grandfather met the Lord

Sri Krishna, He was at the Wedding Hall of Droupadi, the Kalyana

Mantapa. The significance of this lies in the fact that they too were

bound throughout the years in bonds of love and affection of

unfailing friendship. To consum- mate that friendship, Krishna taught

him the Highest Wisdom. " Did you note how chummy that Consummate

Trickster was with your grandfather? " With that question, Vyasa rose

and collected his things, in an attempt to depart.

 

Observing this, Parikshith pleaded piteously, wiping the tears of joy

that filled his eyes, " Master! You have made the Lord stand clear

before me, with your description of His leela and His Grace. Please

tell me more of the many occasions on which the Lord showered His

Mercy on my grandfathers, how He moved close with them and rescued

them from calamity; sleep is deserting my eyes and prompting me to

listen to the stories of God. Make this night holy by relating to me

the glory of the Lord. That alone can give me satisfaction. Let me

spend the night in His thoughts....Your silence is causing me great

agony. "

 

Vyasa saw the steadfastness and devotion of Parikshith and changed

his decision. He said, " Son! Were the mighty miracles of Krishna one

or two in number, I could have described them to you. If one had a

billion tongues, and the whole of eternity before him, description of

His Majesty can never be exhausted. All the Gods bowed before Him

with folded hands. Sometimes He would raise His Bhakthas to the

skies; very soon He will drag them down into the depths. He treated

the world as a puppet show. He was always radiant with His smile. He

never knew anxiety, disappointment or distress.

 

He behaved sometimes like a common man, sometimes as an innocent

child, at other times as a near kinsman, or as an intimate friend, or

as a masterful monarch. Sometimes He behaved as a playful cowherd

boy. He had the capacity and cleverness to play all roles with unique

distinction. He loved your grandfather, Arjuna, with special fervour.

He used to take him with Him, whatever the occasion or place. Why,

Arjuna could move about freely even in the inner apartments of the

residence of the Lord. The Lord used to play with your grandfather in

the waters of the Yamuna, diving at one place and rising at a distant

spot to surprise him, calling on him to do like-wise if he could,

competing with him in various games, games which defy description and

identification. All of a sudden, He would take Arjuna to a solitary

place and converse with him there on some mysteries. He used often to

discard the smooth silken bed and sleep with His head on Arjuna's

lap, instead.

 

Your grandfather too, reciprocated that love to the full. Though

sometimes they were found angry against each other, talking as if

they were enraged, they made up very soon and resumed friendly

conversation quickly. My dear son, it can be said that they were Nara

and Narayan, like the body and the breath; there was no Arjuna

without Krishna and no Krishna without Arjuna. There was no secret

which your grandfather did not share with Krishna or which Krishna

did not share with your grandfather, which particular episode in

their relationship am I to tell you now? Ask me any one which you

would like to hear and I shall gladly relate it to you. "

 

The Escape of Thakshaka

 

When Vyasa yielded thus to his importunity, Parikshith who was all

attention replied in a voice stuttering with emotion, " Master! I do

not see clearly the reason why my grandfather destroyed the

Khandavavana (the Khandava Forest) by means of a conflagration. Tell

me how the Lord Krishna helped him in the exploit. Make me happy by

relating to me this episode " . Parikshith fell at the sage's feet and

prayed that this may be described to him. Vyasa complimented him and

said, " Right, you have made a request which does credit to you. I

shall comply. "

 

He continued, " Once, when Krishna and Arjuna were resting happily on

the sands of Yamuna, oblivious of the world and its tangles, an aged

Brahmin approached them and said, 'Son! I am very hungry. Give me a

little food to appease it. I cannot keep alive, unless you give me

this'. At these words, they were suddenly made aware of a strange

presence. Though outwardly he appeared natural, there was a divine

effulgence around him which marked him out as some one apart.

 

Meanwhile, Krishna came forward and accosted him. 'Great Brahmin! You

do not appear merely human. You will not be satisfied with ordinary

food, I can surmise. Ask me the food that you desire for; I shall

certainly give you that'. Arjuna stood at a distance watching this

conversation with amazement. For, he heard Krishna, who allayed the

hunger of all beings in all the worlds, asking this lean hungry

Brahmin, what food will satisfy him! Krishna was enquiring so quietly

and with so much consideration that Arjuna was filled with curiosity

and surprise. "

 

The Brahmin suddenly burst into laughter and said, " Lord! Do you not

recognise me? There is nothing in this world - nay - in all the

fourteen worlds that is beyond your ken. I am Prana, one vital

principle, in your Creation. I am Agni the Fire-Principle. I regret

to inform you that even I have fallen ill. To cure my indigestion I

feel I must consume the arboreal juice of the Khandava Forest. That

forest must be burnt in flames. That alone can appease my hunger and

restore my appetite. "

 

At this, Krishna asked him, " Well, consume it; why did you come to Me

for this? This is indeed amazing; you have power to reduce the

universe into ash! Why do you crave another's help? " When Krishna

asked him thus, pretending that he did not know, Agni

answered, " Lord! You know everything. Does not the great serpent,

Thakshaka live in this Khandavavana, with his kith and kin, his

attendants and associates? Indra, the god of Rain, is his close

friend; so, He has undertaken the responsibility of guarding that

forest against fire and other calamities. He has given his word of

honour that he will save the forest and thus, save Thakshaka. So, as

soon as I start eating up the forest, Indra will send his minions and

soak the place with rain. I will be scotched into inaction; I cannot

eat any more. So, I am taking refuge in You. "

 

Krishna laughed at his fears; he said, " If so, we shall help you out.

Tell us what we should do and we are ready. " Agni was delighted. He

exclaimed, " I am indeed blessed; I am saved. You can, if you only

decide to keep back the rain that Indra showers by covering the

forest with a roof of arrows that will allow me to consume the Vana

undisturbed. " Krishna assured him that his request will be fulfilled.

 

Your grandfather addressed Agni thus: " You can burn up the Vana,

without hesitation. My arms have enough strength to oppose and

overwhelm not one Indra but even ten millions of them. But, I have

not got with me the arrows necessary for this operation and the

chariot that can carry all that weight. If these are supplied, I

shall carry out your task, with the gracious permission of Krishna